Read More

The court heard the victim had been on a night out in Llanelli on February 20.

He left the Shakers nightclub at about 11.20pm and was seen - very drunk and shirtless but not being aggressive - walking around the area at around 12.30am.

Former Wales under-18s player Middleton was one of a number of people in a Vauxhall Tigra which stopped at a pedestrian crossing, and was said to be “eye-balling” the drunk man.

Middleton then got out of the car, walked towards the man and punched him in the head.

The court heard the victim was probably unconscious before he hit the ground, with eye witnesses reporting that he made no attempt to break his fall, and his head “bounced” off the floor with a loud “crack” noise.

Middleton then crouched over the prostrate man and rained punches down upon him - the victim was described as being “obviously unconscious”, bleeding from the head, and breathing in short gasps.

Read More

Middleton was described as being “pumped up” and “hyper” and shouting to by-standers “Come on - does anybody else want some?”

First on the scene were two police officers who tended to the victim - the court heard their actions contributed to keeping him alive - before paramedics arrived, and then the gravely-ill man was taken first to Morriston A&E and then University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

The court heard the victim suffered a broken nose, fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, and traumatic brain injuries - including deep bruising to the brain - which were “life-threatening and life-changing”.

He was put on a ventilator, and subsequently spent a month in intensive care.

When Middleton was arrested at his home in Burry Port he was aggressive towards officers, telling them he would “take you all on” before assaulting two of them.

The court heard the defendant has a previous conviction for a similar assault - on October 2014 he was given a 16-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months after he punched someone to the ground and repeatedly kicked him.

The court also heard details of a statement from the victim’s mother in which she said the attack on her son had “crushed” the family.

Read More

Judge Peter Heywood said the prognosis for Middleton’s victim was unknown but it seemed likely he would continue to suffer problems with mobility, speech and memory.

He told Middleton: “In short you have ruined his life.

“I have no doubt you are an extremely dangerous and violent young man.

“I am sure your rugby coaches instilled in you discipline, and the importance of controlling your aggression on the pitch - that is not something you seem able to do in social circumstances under the influence of drink.”

For the grievous bodily harm charge Middleton was sentenced to nine years in prison, and will only be eligible to apply for parole at the two-third stage. He will be subject to an extended three-year licence period when he is released.